Biological Equilibria
-
Enzyme + Substrate (Ligand) --> Enzyme-Substate Complex --> Product(s)
Oxygenation

Mb = Myoglobin: http://www.stark.kent.edu/~cearley/pchem/Chime/myoglob.htm
Hb = Hemoglobin: http://www.stark.kent.edu/~cearley/pchem/Chime/hemoglob.htm

                                    (Sickle Cell Sidebar: http://ep.llnl.gov/msds/Columbia/slide8-3.html)

  1. Write the respective equilibrium expressions for the three equilibium equations above.
  2. Write the equilibrium expressions for the dissociation of Mb(O2) and Hb(O2)n ,i.e., the reverse of complex formation. Show the mathematical relationship of K to Kdis.
  3. Substitute the partial pressure of oxygen for its concentration and re-write the expressions.
  4. Write the electron configuration for iron.
  5. Draw an orbital diagram (electrons represented by arrows) for the iron (II) ion.

Your group is challenged to successfully climb Mt. Everest (virtually). Read the handout and go to:
http://ir.chem.cmu.edu/irproject/applets/everest/applet.asp
For help see:
http://ir.chem.cmu.edu/irproject/applets/everest/help.asp

Report your results (days spent at each location) in the following table:
 
 
pO2 (torr)
Camp
Days
66.7
Base
 
65.2
I
 
61.5
II
 
58.1
III
 
54.6
IV
 
51.5
South Summit
 
51.1
Summit
X
Suggested reading: Jon Krakauer, Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster
Mass Market Paperback - 378 pages; Anchor edition (May 1998);  Anchor Books; ISBN: 0385492081. (About $6.00 to purchase)

Ski Mt. Everest? Impossible? A Slovenian, Davo Karnicar, accomplished this on October 7, 2000. Learn more:
http://www.everest.simobil.si/


© Copyright  1999-2002 R.J. Rusay